It was the same regarding Christ’s first appearance as it is today. There were dozens of prophecies with which to test the appearance of Messiah. Yet the Pharisees and the Scribes chose to ignore them when they pointed to the carpenter’s son from Nazareth, the rightful kingly heir of David. Christ held them responsible for this willful refusal to believe. And not only them but the masses that witnessed the miracles – and also chose to disbelieve.
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:32-35)
The conclusion of last week’s installment is the first point in this 6-point message. JESUS CHRIST IS LIKELY GOING TO RETURN IN THIS GENERATION!!!
PART V – THE MEANING IN THE MESSAGE
If our starting point is true, what does that mean? Let’s work it out. Because as we apply biblical principles a clear path emerges of what we are to do and how we are to treat this time.
- JESUS CHRIST IS LIKELY TO RETURN IN THIS GENERATION
- WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW THE TIME OF OUR VISITATION
- Judgement on First Century Jews. It came when the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem during a time of rebellion. It is interesting to note that Christ warned of the impending destruction of Jerusalem by Roman armies which occurred in AD 70. The early Christians took His warning to heart and left the city as the Roman legions were gathering. Despite the fact that about 1.1million Jews were slaughtered during the capture of Jerusalem, – not one Christian is recorded to have lost their lives in the siege.[i] Jesus went on to describe the ensuing scattering of the Jews throughout the world and that Jerusalem would remain in the hands of Israel’s enemies “trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24)
- Luke 19:41-44. “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build anembankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.’”
- We don’t get a special pass. We too are responsible to know of the time we live. That is why God gives us His word and the prophets. So knowing all that, we can know this…..
- Judgement on First Century Jews. It came when the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem during a time of rebellion. It is interesting to note that Christ warned of the impending destruction of Jerusalem by Roman armies which occurred in AD 70. The early Christians took His warning to heart and left the city as the Roman legions were gathering. Despite the fact that about 1.1million Jews were slaughtered during the capture of Jerusalem, – not one Christian is recorded to have lost their lives in the siege.[i] Jesus went on to describe the ensuing scattering of the Jews throughout the world and that Jerusalem would remain in the hands of Israel’s enemies “trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24)
- A DAY OF JUDGMENT IS COMING
- The Nation that Forgets God will face Judgment
- “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” (Hosea 4:6)
- We live in a culture that has purposely refused God. We have placed Him on the sidelines. We, as a Church, have denied the truths of His word. It is taught that all paths lead to the Father. It is taught that everyone will be saved. In the process, we have diminished the sacredness of His sacrifice on the Cross and declared the Crucifixion and the Resurrection to be meaningless. So yes, a day of judgement is coming, but remember this….
- GOD’S HEART IS FOR REPENTANCE
- “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2Peter 3:9)
- And He’s a God of His Word !!! He is calling a people to Himself of every tribe, tongue and nation. He is calling us to repentance. It is His will. And when it comes it will bring revival.
- “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2Peter 3:9)
- REVIVAL ALWAYS FOLLOWS REPENTANCE
- There is a Historical Pattern here:
- // REBELLION // JUDGEMENT // REPENTANCE // REVIVAL // RESTORATION //
- There is a Historical Pattern here:
- RESTORATION FOLLOWS REVIVAL
THE CRUX OF THE MESSAGE – Here it is, all broken down.
- JESUS CHRIST IS LIKELY TO RETURN IN THIS GENERATION
- WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW THE TIME OF OUR VISITATION
- A DAY OF JUDGEMENT IS COMING
- GOD’S HEART IS REPENTANCE
- REVIVAL ALWAYS FOLLOWS REPENTANCE
- RESTORATION FOLLOWS REVIVAL
So here is the call on us. It is the path to restoration. It is God’s promise to His wayward people. And in it we see His heasrt of love.
2Chronicles 7:13-14. “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
That is the call: To humble ourselves and pray and seek Him and repent. It is a call for every age. But is the more, a call for today. Because we can read the signs telling us that we are entering the Time of Our Visitation. And soon we will see God’s final play….God’s Eternal New World Order….When we will be forever with Christ. Alleluia!!!!!
[i] Chuck Missler, Prophecy Conference 2006, Q&A Session
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